UK manufacturer, Baxi Heating, is proud to have supported the Carbon Connect inquiry and pleased to announce the launch of the Future Gas report. It examines the social aspects of decarbonising heat together with the related effects on the UK economy and explores the challenges associated with hydrogen and green gas in the homes of the public.
Statistics from the report show that domestic heat accounts for 13% of the UK’s annual emissions footprint. So, with 85% of homes heated by natural gas boilers at present, switching gas distribution networks to supply low carbon variants, such as hydrogen, to households is an essential step in helping the UK to reach its net zero emissions target.
Transition to low carbon heating
The call for evidence was opened in October 2018 and ran for five months, whereby several MPs, industry professionals, and representatives from Carbon Connect and Baxi, shared thoughts and stressed the importance of aligning government and local authority approaches to the delivery of low carbon heat and decarbonization of the gas network.
Government and local authorities to identify the mixture of low carbon heating options
The report findings highlight that the transition to low carbon heat requires coordinated planning – nationally, regionally, and locally. On national and regional levels, government and local authorities should prioritize energy and heat policy to identify the mixture of low carbon heating options. On a local level, almost every house in the UK will be required to change to low carbon heating, and therefore the public must be engaged, informed, and supported at every stage.
Limited prioritization of heat
Notably, the report draws attention to the fact that domestic heat accounts for 13% of the UK’s annual emissions footprint, which is comparable to the contributions made by petrol and diesel cars. This statistic alone highlights the importance of decarbonizing heat as part of the UK’s transition to a low carbon economy.
Evidence revealed that the prioritization of heat as a means of reducing carbon emissions amongst the public and politicians was limited. However, this was due to limited knowledge around alternative heating technologies and a lack of awareness around the practical implications of its implementation, as opposed to there being a lack of support.
Next steps
As with any technology evolution, several questions and challenges lie ahead, not least about rights and protections for households and a discussion around the distribution of cost for implementation more generally.
Needless to say, the next steps must include a clear commitment to allow industry investment, and the publication of a robust strategy for the decarbonization of heat by 2025, which includes a robust trajectory for the installation of low carbon heating systems throughout the UK.
